Chapter 29 One-on-One Tutoring

Chapter 29 One-on-One Tutoring

Lin Yao pulled Shi Nian along as they headed home, walking so fast it was as if a ghost were chasing her.

On the way, Shi Nian whispered, "Yao Yao, Qi Yanye he..."

"Shi Nian, let's hurry up; my mom just texted me to get back quickly." Lin Yao didn't pay attention to what Shi Nian was saying, instead pulling her and glancing back at Shi Yu following them.

The tall and aloof figure of the young man was stretched long by the setting sun at the narrow alley entrance, with the fiery clouds behind him casting his entire body into shadow, making his expression indiscernible.

Only those deep, dark eyes seemed to be fixed on her.

Pretending not to notice, Lin Yao quickly turned away and started jogging with Shi Nian.

Shi Yu, lagging behind them, watched as the girl in front broke into a run.

A very clear realization emerged.

Lin Yao was avoiding him.

...

Lin Yao indeed was avoiding Shi Yu.

Not that she was deliberately hiding, but she felt uneasy and didn't know how to interact with Shi Yu anymore.

She had initially thought it wouldn't matter if she simply ignored him, since she had Shi Nian, which was enough for her.

But after Zhou Yuwei told her that 'secret,' she couldn't shake off the unease.

All afternoon, her mind was restless, unable to settle down.

Shi Yu once liked a girl who had been bullied at school.

Lin Yao dared not think that girl could be herself.

There were many girls who had been wronged at school.

It was all just coincidence.

But when Qi Yanye had just added her as a friend, Shi Yu stood up with his backpack and waited by the classroom door for her and Shi Nian.

At that moment, Lin Yao felt an inexplicable sense of strangeness and panic.

She could only keep telling herself.

In the book, Shi Yu has his own CP, and the girl he likes hasn't appeared yet.

She, a malicious and scheming supporting character, mustn't let her imagination run wild.

With these chaotic thoughts, Lin Yao pulled Shi Nian and ran home.

As soon as they entered the house,

"Yao Yao, Shi Nian, Shi Yu, you're back. Come in and wash your hands for dinner," Xia Tingnan said, "And Yao Yao, come here and see this..."

Lin Yao wondered why her mother was so eager to have her return, only to find out that she had brought back a set of textbooks and lecture notes from Zhi Xue.

Three thick books: one with example problems, one with exercises, and one with error collections.

Xia Tingnan: "You've been admitted to Zhi Xue, and classes start next week. I asked the teacher, and they've just finished the first three lectures. You need to catch up quickly."

Lin Yao nodded and quickly flipped through the Zhi Xue lecture notes.

No wonder it's Zhi Xue; their materials are excellent.

Lin Yao excelled in math and originally thought that scoring 145 on the admission test would make her classes at Zhi Xue easy.

But after seeing the Zhi Xue materials, she realized that the teacher who set the admission test had shown mercy.

To keep up with Zhi Xue's teaching pace, she needed to work harder.

Lin Xiong: "Alright, come eat dinner first, then continue studying."

Lin Yao put down the book, washed her hands, and ate.

For dinner, Lin Yao had her healthy meal while the other four had regular food.

Fortunately, Lin Jingtao had ordered a feast for lunch, and although she regretted not finishing it, she had enjoyed the taste.

While reminiscing about the lunch of bullfrog, cold chicken, and garlic shrimp, Lin Yao quickly finished her healthy meal.

Wiping her mouth, she put down her bowl and chopsticks. "Take your time eating; I'm going in."

Lin Yao then picked up the textbooks and slipped back into her room.

Shi Nian looked up. "Lin Yao didn't eat much. Is the nutrition sufficient..."

"Don't worry; these meals are specially designed for her, so the nutrition is definitely adequate," Xia Tingnan replied. "That child loves math. She's rushing in to study the Zhi Xue lecture notes."

Shi Yu subtly raised his gaze, his gaze like water falling on the empty seat where Lin Yao had sat.

There lay a set of chopsticks and bowls, with Lin Yao's three portions of healthy steamed dishes barely touched.

The young man lowered his eyes.

Xia Tingnan: "It's a pity that Yao Yao's interest in math can't be shared with physics. Her physics teacher always talks to me. I wonder how the new physics teacher will be."

Shi Nian: "Auntie, don't worry. Even though we're in Class 13, our teachers are just as good as those in other classes. Our physics teacher is also excellent."

Shi Nian and Lin Yao were in the same class before, and Shi Nian paid close attention to Lin Yao.

She understood why Xia Tingnan was worried about Lin Yao's physics grades.

It could be said that Lin Yao managed to rank within the top 50 in her grade during past exams mainly because of her scores in Chinese, math, and English.

Originally, with strong performance in the main subjects, as long as the minor subjects weren't too bad, the overall score wouldn't look particularly poor.

But what made Lin Yao stand out was how weak she was in physics.

On a physics test worth 100 points, she consistently scored around 30 points, and even on her best days, she barely reached 50 points, severely dragging down her overall performance.

No one knew why this was the case.

Xia Tingnan: "Sigh, it's my fault. Look at her father; he can fix cars, so his physics should be good. Maybe she inherited me. I wasn't good at physics when I was in school, but unfortunately, I didn't like liberal arts either, so I had to choose physics-related subjects. I've already found several physics classes for her and consulted many famous teachers, but there's been no improvement. There's nothing we can do but focus on improving her math."

Seeing Xia Tingnan getting anxious again, Lin Xiong comforted her, "Don't worry. A boss who often comes to my shop for car repairs once mentioned that his son's grades weren't good either. He found a private tutor for one-on-one lessons, and the progress was significant. I'll ask him how to get in touch later."

Xia Tingnan could only sigh and nod.

In fact, Lin Yao had told her that Shi Nian had been helping her review Chinese and English over the past few days, and she had benefited greatly from it.

Unfortunately, Shi Nian chose history, so she couldn't help much with physics anymore.

At that moment, Shi Yu, sitting across from them, gently put down his chopsticks.

Shi Yu: "Aunt, Uncle, why don't I tutor Lin Yao in physics?"

Xia Tingnan: "You?"

Lin Xiong was also stunned: "..."

Apart from being good at household chores, Shi Yu didn't seem to have any academic strengths, did he?

Even Lin Xiong, who didn't usually mix in parent circles, had heard that Shi Yu was among the bottom few students in the entire grade when he attended Lin Yao's parent-teacher meetings.

How could he possibly tutor their daughter in physics!?

"No need, Shi Yu. You're not suitable..."

Xia Tingnan suddenly realized that saying this might be impolite and hurt Shi Yu's self-esteem.

She quickly tried to make amends: "No, what I mean is... every profession has its champions. Look at you, so handsome, tall, and considerate. You might be better suited for something else. But for tutoring Lin Yao in physics, perhaps we should find a more professional teacher..."

"Aunt, rest assured, my physics grades are excellent."

Shi Yu's tone was calm, but his voice was deep and serious, showing no hint of joking.

Xia Tingnan was taken aback: "Aunt... Aunt didn't mean to doubt you, but this..."

"Right, how could I forget..."

Shi Nian, reminded by Shi Yu's words, suddenly looked delighted.

"Aunt, let Shi Yu tutor Lin Yao in physics. Shi Yu won the national first prize in physics back in high school. He would teach Lin Yao better than any other teacher combined."

Xia Tingnan, Lin Xiong: What...

Physics, national first prize?

Top 50 in the country?

Shi Yu...?

It didn't seem possible.

Shi Nian: "I forgot to tell you, Shi Yu won the national first prize in both physics and computer science in high school. He's already qualified for early admission to Capital University. That's why he doesn't go to school often, and the school doesn't mind, fearing he might affect the mindset of other students. He spends most of his time working on software development at our company."

Lin Xiong dropped his chopsticks.

Xia Tingnan opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Not only did he win the national first prize in physics, but also in computer science... No wonder Shi Mo and Song Li never said anything about him skipping school.

They had heard legends about such prodigies in the parent group.

The school was said to be concerned that students who had already secured spots in prestigious universities might affect the mindset of other top students. Thus, they would privately encourage those students to stay away from school.

They never expected the legend to be true, and sitting right in front of them.

Xia Tingnan regained her composure: "Shi Yu, sorry for misunderstanding you earlier..."

"It's alright, Aunt Xia." Shi Yu's voice was considerate and low. "I should have told you sooner so you wouldn't worry about Lin Yao's physics grades."

Xia Tingnan: "..."

Oh, how considerate Shi Yu is. This child is mature, steady, and understanding. No wonder he does so well academically.

She liked him more and more.

Xia Tingnan increasingly believed that the old monk who predicted Lin Yao's future when she was young must have been a fraud, always unreliable.

Xia Tingnan: "But wouldn't it be too much trouble for you..."

"Not at all, I have nothing else to do."

The young man stood up, his cold and refined features sharp, yet his tone polite and courteous.

"Aunt and Uncle, why don't you go watch TV and rest after eating? I'll take care of the dishes. From now on, every day, I'll set aside time to tutor Lin Yao in physics. Rest assured, her physics grades will improve soon."

After saying this, Shi Yu picked up the dishes he and Lin Yao had used and turned to enter the kitchen.

Xia Tingnan and Lin Xiong looked at each other, surprised that the seemingly indifferent and laid-back Shi Yu was so capable.

Lin Xiong quickly stood up, trying to help Shi Yu with the dishes, but was politely ushered out of the kitchen by Shi Yu.

Meanwhile, Xia Tingnan felt relieved with Shi Yu's assurance.

She held her phone, eager to share her joy on social media.

Goodness, a national award winner tutoring her daughter one-on-one—what good fortune!

Yoyo was right; helping the Shi family brings good luck.

Only Shi Nian tilted her head, puzzled, watching Shi Yu's busy back in the kitchen.

She thought she would have to persuade him, but when did he become so enthusiastic?

Lin Yao didn't realize that Shi Yu had already won over her parents.

*

The young girl sat alone at her desk, studying the intelligent learning materials intently.

She took out her draft notebook and worked through the first section of the lecture notes. Although it was challenging, she felt a sense of clarity after completing them.

Unfortunately, this feeling of clarity didn't last long.

Because it was time for Lin Yao to do her physics homework.

Every day, she would postpone doing her physics homework until she finished all her other school assignments and even additional practice exercises. Only then would she reluctantly open her physics workbook.

The first question: Good, she could do it.

The second question: It seemed... she could do half of it.

The third question: It looked familiar...

Lin Yao held her pen, spread out the paper, and scribbled earnestly on the draft paper.

And then... nothing happened...

How should she draw the force analysis for this diagram?

Why couldn't she figure out the electrostatic field in the next problem?

Why did something as difficult as physics exist in the world?

Lin Yao's fingers tightened around her pen. If she wasn't good at physics, maybe excelling in other subjects would make up for it?

She started to avoid the problem again, wanting to put away the workbook.

"Can't do this question?"

A lazy, magnetic voice came unexpectedly from above her.

Lin Yao froze.

She blinked, staring at the physics paper, and turned her head in disbelief.

It was Shi Yu... When did he come in?

Wearing a black outfit, Shi Yu appeared behind her.

The teenager seemed to have just showered, with damp black hair falling over his forehead, partially covering his eyes.

His striking features were cast into shadows by the overhead light, hiding his eyes beneath his bangs.

Lin Yao: "You..."

Xia Tingnan: "Yoyo, Shi Yu knocked on the door for a while outside, but there was no sound inside, so I let him in to check."

Lin Yao turned around and saw her mother standing by the door, holding the handle.

But... why did her mother let Shi Yu in?

Lin Yao: "I was too focused on my problems, Mom. You and him..."

"Not 'him,' from now on, Shi Yu is your physics teacher. Call him Teacher," Xia Tingnan said, walking over and gesturing for Lin Xiong to bring a chair in and place it beside Lin Yao.

Xia Tingnan: "Shi Yu, please sit down. Yoyo will be in your care from now on."

Lin Yao watched her parents' overly grateful smiles towards Shi Yu, confused.

What was going on?

Shi Yu's tone was calm yet exceptionally polite: "Aunt, Lin Yao is very smart. Teaching her won't be difficult."

Lin Yao: "Mom, what are you talking about? What teacher, what teaching me?"

"That's right, we haven't told you yet." Xia Tingnan delivered the blow, "Shi Yu won both the national physics and computer science awards in his first year of high school. He could have been admitted to Capital University without taking the college entrance exam."

Xia Tingnan patted Lin Yao's shoulder: "Daughter, a national physics champion is better than any external tutor. Learn well from Shi Yu, okay?"

Afraid of disturbing Shi Yu and Lin Yao, Xia Tingnan pulled Lin Xiong out.

Starting tonight, whenever Shi Yu tutored Lin Yao, Shi Nian would study in Shi Yu's room.

This room is left for the two of them.

Lin Yao sat in her seat, dazed, unable to snap out of Xia Tingnan's words.

The pen she was holding fell onto the table unconsciously and rolled downward.

A hand with distinct knuckles caught the pen.

Shi Yu placed the pen back on Lin Yao's desk, the tip pointing precisely at the problem she had been struggling with.

Lin Yao's eyes welled up with tears as she stared at Shi Yu's strikingly handsome face, which was now close to her ear.

He lowered his eyes slightly, tilting his head. "I'll teach you now."

"Lin Yao classmate."